Though Orange County is the third-most populous county in the state, it’s home to some of the most beautiful protected wilderness areas in the entire country. Come explore them on October 29 with a free hike and equestrian ride hosted by OCTA and made possible by Measure M, Orange County’s half cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
Hikers will go through the O’Neill Oaks Preserve, a 118-acre parcel located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon, and immediately north of O’Neill Regional Park and Trabuco Creek. Mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and gray foxes make their homes in the area.
For riders, the destination is the Ferber Ranch Preserve, a 399-acre parcel located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon. It’s bordered by the Cleveland National Forest to the north and Trabuco Creek to the south. The Preserve features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 1,120 to 1,650 feet above sea level.
These are two of the seven properties acquired as part of the Measure M Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program, a comprehensive plan that preserves and restores natural habitats and allows for expedited delivery of freeway projects. The properties are located in Trabuco Canyon, Brea, Silverado Canyon, and Laguna Beach. Together, they total more than 1,300 acres.
To register for the hike and ride and learn more about how OCTA is preserving Orange County’s legacy, click here.
